Vic trio to appeal Islam contempt charges

Three men are expected to appeal a court finding in Victoria that they incited contempt and ridicule of Muslims, after making a video beheading a dummy in protest to the Bendigo mosque.

United Patriots Front (UPF) leader Blair Cottrell, 27, and supporters Neil Erikson, 32, and Christopher Neil Shortis, 46, were convicted on Tuesday by Magistrate John Hardy, who said they had "crossed the line" with the October 2015 stunt.

In the video, which was shown to the Melbourne Magistrates Court during Monday and Tuesday's hearing, the men beheaded the mannequin, with a red liquid flowing from its head and body outside the Bendigo City Council offices.

Mr Hardy said the video was designed by these three men to incite serious contempt or severe ridicule for Muslims, in an effort to induce "as many like-minded people" as possible to their anti-mosque rally to be held six days later.

He convicted the men and fined them $2000 each plus $79.50 in statutory costs.

Cottrell told reporters a "dangerous precedent" had been set that could destroy freedom of speech.

Shortis, who told the court he had political aspirations, said he was concerned the Director of Public Prosecutions had the power to "institute a blasphemy law in disguise".